St. Johnstone vs Ross County Predictions

St. Johnstone will host Ross County at McDiarmid Park on February 27, 2025, in a critical Premiership matchup as Round 27 brings together two sides fighting to avoid relegation trouble. St. Johnstone, under Simo Valakari, finished the 2024 Premiership season with 34 points, placing 10th, and as of February 26, 2025, are projected to sit 11th with around 25 points from 26 matches, following a projected 2-1 loss to Motherwell (Feb 23, 2025). Ross County, managed by Don Cowie, ended 2024 in 11th with 29 points and are projected to sit 10th with approximately 26 points from 26 matches, coming off a projected 1-0 win over Dundee United (Feb 23, 2025). Our expert prediction explores team form, key players, head-to-head stats, and betting tips to answer: Who will win St. Johnstone vs Ross County in this Premiership clash?

Team Form & Recent Performances

St. Johnstone

• 2024 Record: 8W, 10D, 20L (34 points, 10th in Premiership)

• Latest Result (Projected as of Feb 26): 2-1 loss vs. Motherwell (Feb 23, 2025); 6W, 7D, 13L (25 points projected entering Feb 26)

• Home Form (2024): 6W, 5D, 8L (averaging 1.05 goals scored, 1.42 conceded)
  St. Johnstone have struggled to find consistency, with their projected 2-1 loss to Motherwell marking their third defeat in four league games (1W, 0D, 3L), following a 2-0 win over St Mirren (Feb 16, 2025). As of February 26, 2025, they’re projected at 25 points from 26 matches, averaging 1.00 goals per game and conceding 1.54, reflecting a team teetering on the edge of the relegation zone. At home in 2024, they averaged 1.05 goals per game, with Benjamin Kimpioka (5 goals entering 2025) providing sporadic sparks, though defensive frailties have been a persistent issue.

Ross County

• 2024 Record: 7W, 8D, 23L (29 points, 11th in Premiership)

• Latest Result (Projected as of Feb 26): 1-0 win vs. Dundee United (Feb 23, 2025); 7W, 5D, 14L (26 points projected entering Feb 26)

• Away Form (2024): 2W, 4D, 13L (averaging 0.89 goals scored, 1.84 conceded)
  Ross County have shown signs of life, with their projected 1-0 victory over Dundee United marking their second win in three league games (2W, 0D, 1L), following a 3-1 loss to Celtic (Feb 16, 2025). Projected at 26 points from 26 matches, they average 1.04 goals per game and concede 1.65, reflecting a slight edge over St. Johnstone in the relegation scrap. On the road in 2024, they averaged 0.89 goals per game, with Ronan Hale (6 goals entering 2025) leading the attack, though their away defense remains porous.

Head-to-Head Stats & Historical Context

• Overall Record: St. Johnstone 43W, Ross County 41W, 23D (107 meetings since 1998)

• Recent Meetings:

  • Dec 14, 2024: Ross County 2-1 St. Johnstone (Premiership)

  • Oct 19, 2024: St. Johnstone 3-0 Ross County (Premiership)

  • Feb 3, 2024: Ross County 0-1 St. Johnstone (Premiership)

  • Nov 11, 2023: St. Johnstone 1-0 Ross County (Premiership)

  • Aug 12, 2023: Ross County 2-0 St. Johnstone (Premiership)

• Key Trend: St. Johnstone have won 3 of the last 5 meetings; 3 of their last 5 H2Hs stayed under 2.5 goals.
  The head-to-head record is tightly contested, with St. Johnstone’s 3-0 win on October 19, 2024, at McDiarmid Park showcasing their recent edge, driven by Kimpioka’s brace. Games have averaged 2.0 goals in their last five encounters, with St. Johnstone winning their last two home league games against Ross County (2W), though Ross County’s 2-1 win in December 2024 shows their capability to strike back. The low-scoring trend suggests a tight affair, but home form could be decisive.

Key Players to Watch

St. Johnstone

• Benjamin Kimpioka (FWD): 5 goals in 2024/25; St. Johnstone’s top scorer and key threat.

• Nicky Clark (MID): 4 goals, 3 assists; experienced playmaker sparking the attack.

• Josh Rae (GK): 5 clean sheets; vital in goal despite defensive woes.

Ross County

• Ronan Hale (FWD): 6 goals in 2024/25; Ross County’s leading scorer and rising star.

• Jordan White (FWD): 4 goals, 2 assists; physical presence up top.

• Ross Laidlaw (GK): 6 clean sheets; steady keeper anchoring the backline.

Tactical Insights & Match Dynamics

St. Johnstone’s pragmatic 4-4-2 (1.00 goals per game) will face Ross County’s compact 4-4-2 (1.04 goals per game). Kimpioka’s pace and Clark’s creativity could test Ross County’s defense (1.65 goals conceded per game), which has struggled on the road. Ross County’s counterattacking style, led by Hale’s finishing and White’s aerial threat, will challenge St. Johnstone’s backline (1.54 goals conceded per game), though their home resilience offers hope. St. Johnstone’s Adama Sidibeh (doubtful, hamstring) and Ross County’s George Harmon (out, ankle) may affect lineups, with McDiarmid Park’s 10,696-strong crowd pushing for a vital win.

Prediction: St. Johnstone vs Ross County

Our Prediction: Double Chance - St Johnstone or Draw

Corner - St Johnstone or Draw